Losing The Past

Part 5

I didn't get far into my episode before Charlie came out of the shower, dressed and smelling more yummy then I have ever smelled before. While he dried his hair I tried comparing him to my Chuck from years before, is this how he would turn out? Or would he stay the lean yet still strong boy I knew. Would he dye his hair, or leave it his natural blonde? Long hair or keep the buzz cuts?

"Ready?" Charlie asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, lets go." I smooth down my braid, make sure my clothes aren't to wrinkled and I follow him out the door. We walk in silence, as we walk I notice its like a hotel. The hall ways have multiple rooms with numbers on them but the doors are further apart then a hotel would be. The hallways have nice decorations and pictures hanging on the walls, tables with vases and flowers and it smells clean and like a well lived home should smell.

We make it to an elevator and go down to level K. The floors listed are strange, it appears to be five levels. Of course I assume the B is for basement, then its M, K, R then the top floor is not marked but the button is red.

"This place used to be a hotel, but the boss man has changed it into living accommodations for the men in his employment. B is basement, M is main floor, K is kitchen, R is rooms and the top floor is red for emergency exit." he explains as he presses the main floor button, after a short ride the doors open and we walk out into a large open area that is exactly like a hotel lobby, only there are pool tables, Foosball tables and other forms of entertainment all around the room. A few people are milling about but no one pays us any attention.

He takes my hand as if its the most natural thing in the world before we walk out of the door and onto the streets of New York city. I had never actually ventured into the city before so I was in awe at the buildings, people and amount of traffic happening.

"Just stay close and you will be fine, I promise." he leans down closer to me, as I look him in the eyes my stomach breaks out in butterflies. He is a lot more handsome then I originally thought, and that has me thinking dirty things.

"Okay." I whisper back in response, hating how I have been acting. Then again after leaving the orphanage my loud, strong, rebellious street personality disappeared. I became a sad, lonely, meek person who never stood up for herself or made myself noticed.

We walked down the street for what felt hours just window shopping, he took me on a bus to the down town and bought me ice cream, I got a few souvenirs, and some treats for later on. We checked out the park, which was my favorite place ever. The grass, smell of the flowers and the animals that ran around were just amazing. It was so peaceful and calming that I was in my glory.

Charlie stopped at some kind of fancy high end store but wouldn't let me go in with him, he left me looking at the book store next door. I did find myself a few books to entertain myself, I loved to read but haven't really been doing much. I decided as I was finding books that it was time to find myself again, time to be who I was meant to be and not this quiet meek person.

The sun started to set and the sky got dark quick, not wanting to be walking around at night Charlie called Marshal who was more then happy to come pick us up, he was out and about any ways. As we stood and waited I noticed Charlie was fidgeting with something in his pockets. 

"You okay there? You were so relaxed and carefree earlier but now your tense and fidgeting." I comment as I lay my hand gently on his arm. He looks down into my eyes with a tender smile on his face.

"Yeah, I erm, well I bought you something but I wasn't sure if I should give it to you now or wait a bit longer. But, well, here." he put a blue velvet container into my hands before turning slightly away trying to hide how nervous he was. I am pretty sure he was blushing.

I opened the lid to the box and my breath caught in my throat, it was a beautiful white gold necklace, it said Strength with diamonds in the letters. I stood there with my mouth hanging open, shocked beyond belief. This did not look like a cheap knockoff necklace, and judging by the store he came out of I know this costed a pretty penny.

I was at a loss for words, I didn't know what to think. Why would he buy me anything let alone something that costs a small fortune? I just stared at the necklace, feeling his eyes on me waiting for a reaction. I didn't know what to do or say.

"You okay?" he asked tentatively, unsure how I am going to react.

"Why?" is all I can choke out as I tear my watery eyes away from the necklace.

"Because of everything you have been through you are still pushing forward. You are the very definition of strength." he is so sincere I again am lost for words. Staring into his eyes, my stomach is fluttering so hard I feel almost sick to my stomach.

"I, just... I.. you.. thank you." I whispered, not sure what to say. I want to tell him I don't need anything fancy yet at the same time he is being so thoughtful. I don't want to hurt his feelings, at that thought I froze, since when did I even have feelings? He took this opportunity to take the necklace from the box and put it on me, moving my braid out of the way.

Instantly my fingers find the necklace around my neck and it feels like it was made to be around my neck, so natural and for some odd reason it made me feel special. Without thinking I spun around and threw my arms around his neck and hugged him like my life depended on it, he chuckled but wrapped his arms around my waist and held me just as tight.

As we were embracing each other a canary yellow dodge charger with black racing stripes pulled up beside us and honked. Turning our heads I noticed it was Marshal, reluctantly Charlie let go of me and opened the door.

"Thanks man." was all he said before climbing into the back, leaving the front seat for me. I climbed in and closed the door, before I was fully seated Marshal took off. Quickly I buckled up as Marshal was looking back and forth between me and Charlie, a knowing smirk on his face.

"All right you two, spill it! You can't just sit quiet and pretend like I didn't just see an intimate moment between you two." He smirks, my cheeks heat up as Charlie reaches up and just smacks him upside the head.

"Fuck off man and just drive." he grunts from the backseat, clearly embarrassed as well.

"What the hell man, don't hit the driver." Marshal pouted from the front rubbing the back of his head. I smiled at the playful banter between the two before steeling my timid side and talking directly to Marshal.

"He bought me a present, I was thanking him that's all." I shrugged trying to be nonchalant but failing. He grins even more, smirking in the rear view mirror at Charlie before commenting.

"You romantic son of a bitch! Did not see that coming at all." he laughed harder as Charlie pouted in the back seat. I turn and look at him and smile, winking at him which caused him to let out a little smile of his own.